Abstract
Humans have used medicinal plants since pre-historic times and 80% of the world’s populations rely on them to supply their basic health needs. Phytotherapic market involves US$ 40 billions a year. Brazil has, at least, three reasons to compete in this market. The first is its huge biodiversity; the second, its own history and the third, the technical-scientific capacity of its scientists.
The Flora Medicinal Laboratory, founded in Rio de Janeiro in 1912, played a fundamental role in the study and in the commercialization of these plants. During 20 years, the Revista da Flora Medicinal published more than 400 articles describing more than 600 Brazilian medicinal plants. This work discusses the importance of this Laboratory and of its journal for the study of Brazilian medicinal plants.